April 9 2017 How Can We Partner To Share The Good News With Others

How Can We Partner To Share The Good News With Others

Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 NLT: Two people are better off than one, for they can help each other succeed. If one person falls, the other can reach out and help. But someone who falls alone is in real trouble.... A person standing alone can be attacked and defeated, but two can stand back-to-back and conquer. Three are even better, for a triple-braided cord is not easily broken.

Memory Verse: Ph. 1:27b (LB)“... you are standing together side by side with one strong purpose – to tell the Good News.”

Ph. 1:5 (NLT)“You’ve been my partners in spreading the Good News about Christ.”

HOW CAN WE “PARTNER” TO SHARE THE GOOD NEWS WITH OTHERS?

Pray Together

Col. 4:3 (NCV)“Pray for us that God will give us an opportunity to tell people His message.”

-Make a prayer list.

Appeal to a common interests

1 Cor. 9:22-23 (LB) “Whatever a person is like, I try to find common ground with him so that he will let me tell him about Christ and let Christ save him. I do this to get the Gospel to them and also for the blessing I myself receive when I see them come to Christ.”

-Discover the common interests in your group.

Reach out in love

1 Th. 2:8 (NCV) “Because we loved you, we were happy to share not only God's Good News with you, but even our own lives.”

1 Cor. 5:12 (NCV) “It is not my business to judge those who are not part of the church.”

2 Cor. 5:14 (LB) “Whatever we do, it is certainly not for our own profit but because Christ's love controls us now.”

-Ask God to give you a deeper love for others.

Tell your stories

1 Peter 2:9 (Mes) “You are... God's instruments to do His work and speak out for Him, to tell others of the night-and-day difference He made for you.”

Ps. 66:16 (NCV) “Listen, and I’ll tell you what God has done for me.”

-Write out your story & share it with your group

Nurture friendships

Rom. 12:16 (CEV)“Be friendly with everyone. Don't be proud and feel that you are smarter than others.

-Make friends with ordinary people.”

Luke 5:29 (CEV) “In his home Levi (Matthew) gave a big dinner party for Jesus. Many fellow tax collectors and other guests were also there.”

2 Tim. 1:7 (LB) “The Holy Spirit does not want you to be afraid of people, but to be wise and strong, and to love them and enjoy being with them.”

-Bring a friend to church. Plan a party

Expect God to Act

Heb. 11:1 (NIV) “Faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.”

Luke 5:20 (NIV) “When Jesus saw their faith, He said, ‘Friend, your sins are forgiven.’”

-Never give up on anyone.

Represent Christ with your life.

Col. 3:17 (NLT) “Whatever you do or say, let it be as a representative of the Lord Jesus.”

1 Thes. 4:11-12a (NCV) “Do all you can to live a peaceful life. Take care of your own business, and do your own work. If you do, people who are not believers will respect you.”

March 19 2017 Responding To The Deeper Life

RESPONDING TO THE DEEPER LIFE

Luke 6:46-49

1. The deeper life can’t be lived without adversity.

Ver. 48 – When the torrent struck that house.

• Temporal affliction
• Temptation

Eph. 6:12 – For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against rulers, against authorities, against the power of this dark world.

2. The deeper life has a point of assurance.

Ver. 48 – The torrent struck that house, but could not shake it.

I Cor. 3:11 – For no one else can lay any foundation other that the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ.

II Tim. 2:19 – Nevertheless, God’s solid foundation stands firm.

Hebrews 13:8 – Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and forever.

I Peter 2:6 – A precious cornerstone, and the one who trust in Him, will never be put to shame.

3. The deeper life must have action.

Ver. 47 – I will show you what He is like who comes to Me and hears My words and puts them into practice.

Hebrews 7:25 – He is able to save completely those who come to God through Him.

4. The deeper life is aware of accountability.

Ver. 47 – I will show you what He is like that comes to Me and builds a house.

BAPTISM AND THE DEEPER LIFE

1. It follows the example set by Christ.

Mark 1:9

2. It’s an act of obedience.

Matt. 28:19-20

3. It speaks of a new life in Christ.

II Cor. 5:17 –

4. It promotes fellowship and involvement in the Church.

I Cor. 12:13

March 12 2017 Challenges Of The Deeper Life

Challenges Of The Deeper Life

Mark 10:32-52

Verse 32 - They were on their way up to Jerusalem, with Jesus leading the way and the disciples were astonished, while those who followed were afraid.

Challenges Of The Deeper Life

1. The place.

Verse 33 - Jesus said we are going up to Jerusalem.

Matthew 23:37 - How often I have longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings.

Luke 24:49 - But stay in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high.

Philippians 3:10 - I want to know Christ and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in His sufferings.

2. The position.

Verse 37 - James and John asked Jesus, let one of us sit on your right and the other on your left.

Verse 38 - Can you drink the cup I drink and be Baptized with the Baptism I am Baptized with?

2 Timothy 2:11-12 - For if we died with Him, we shall also live with Him.

3. The purpose.

Verse 43 - Whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant and whoever wants to be first must be a slave to all.

4. The pressure.

Verse 32 - They were on their way up to Jerusalem with Jesus leading the way.

Verse 52 - Immediately he received his sight and followed Jesus.

Three Action Steps

1. Accept the place.

Ephesians 4:11 - I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances.

2. Submit to Christ.

John 17:11 - So they may be one as we are one.

3. Begin to serve.

Verse 52 - Immediately he followed Jesus.

February 26 2017 Getting A Grip On Power

Getting A Grip On Power

Job 6:10 – At least I can take comfort in this, despite the pain. I have not denied the words of the Holy One.

1 Corinthians 4:20 – The Kingdom of God is not just fancy talk. It is living by God’s power.

Psalm 68:35 – God is awesome, He gives power and strength to His people.

WHEN TO EXPECT GOD’S POWER

1. When I’m tired.

Isaiah 40:28 & 31 – The Lord is the everlasting God. He never grows tired or weary. He strengthens those who are weak and tired. Those who trust the Lord for help will find their strength renewed. He gives power to those who are tired and worn out, He offers strength to the weak.

2. When I’ve nothing to offer.

2 Corinthians 12:9-10 – My power shows up best in weak people. Now I am glad to boast about how weak I am, I am glad to be a living demonstration of Christ’s power, instead of showing off my own powers and abilities.

3. When I’m in pain.

Psalm 41:3 – The Lord nurses them when they are sick and eases their pain.

4. When I’m tempted.

Romans 7:18 – I often find that I have the will to do good, but no power.

2 Corinthians 10:13 – Every temptation that has come your way is the kind that normally comes to people. But god keeps His promise, and He will not allow you to be tempted beyond your power to resist, at the time you are tempted, He will give you strength to endure it, and so provide you with a way out.

Philippians 4:13 – I have the strength to face all conditions by the power that Christ gives me.

HOW TO BUILD CONFIDENCE IN GOD’S POWER

1. Admit your need for help.

Proverbs 29:23 – Pride ends in humiliation, while humility brings honor.

2. Get connected.

John 15:5 – I am the vine and you are the branches. Those who remain in Me and I in them, will produce much fruit, for apart from Me you can do nothing.

2 Timothy 1:7 – For the Spirit that God gives us does not make us timid. Instead His Spirit fills us with power.

3. Choose God’s way with faith that God’s power will show up.

Hebrews 11:1 – What is faith? It is the confident assurance that what we hope for is going to happen.

Isaiah 40:31 – Those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary.

Romans 8:17 – And since we are His children, we will share His treasure. For everything God gives to His Son, Christ, is ours too.

December 18 2016 Benefits From The Christmas Savior

BENEFITS FROM THE CHRISTMAS SAVIOR

Matthew 1:21 – She will give birth to a Son and you are to give Him the name Jesus, because He will save His people from their sins.

1. You lose your loneliness.

Hebrews 13:5 – Jesus said, “I will never leave you; I will never abandon you.”

Isaiah 41:10 - Don’t worry, because I am with you. Don’t be afraid, because I am your God. I will make you strong and will help you; I will support you.”

Psalm 4:8 – “I will lie down in peace and sleep, for though I am alone, O Lord, You will keep me safe.”

Psalm 16:11 – “Your presence fills me with joy.”

2. You get another chance.

I Corinthians 1:30 – Right thinking and right living, a clean slate and a fresh start, all come from God by way of Jesus Christ.

II Corinthians 5:17 – Anyone who belongs to Christ becomes a new person. The past is forgotten, and everything becomes new.

Colossians 2:13-14 – God makes you alive with Christ when He forgives all your failures and sins. He did this by erasing the charges that were brought against us by the laws God established. He took those charges away by nailing them to the cross.

3. You find your reason for living.

Ephesians 1:11 – It is in Christ that we find out who we are and what we are living for. Long before we first heard of Christ He had His eye on us, and designed us for glorious living.

Proverbs 16:4a – The Lord has made everything for His own purposes.

Colossians 3:11 – In this new life one’s nationality or race or education or social position is unimportant; such things mean nothing. Whether a person has Christ is what matters, and He is equally available to all.

I Peter 1:3-4 – Because Jesus was raised from the dead, we’ve been given a brand new life and have everything to live for, including a future in heaven and the future starts now!

Romans 6:13 – Give yourselves completely to God, every part of you to be used for His good purposes.

4. You get His power to go on.

II Timothy 2:1 – Find your source of strength in the Grace of Christ Jesus. 

Isaiah 43:2 – When you go through deep waters and great trouble, I will be with you. When you go through rivers of difficulty, you will not drown! When you walk through the fire of oppression, you will not be burned up.